Community Business
There are people in the far corners of Indonesia who are making efforts to eradicate poverty and protect the environment by setting up creative enterprises. Working in groups they form businesses based on local knowledge, making use of home-grown products. Their goal is not just to gain profit but to empower the more marginalized communities. The result has been quite remarkable. Local economies have grown and environmental problems have been reasonably managed. Most importantly, it has reduced people's reliance on money lenders. This success story came from 20 communities recently gathered in Jakarta for the workshop 'Entrepreneurial Communities Working towards a Green Indonesia'. Follows a report by Tempo English on three communities.
October 22, 2013
Garbage Into Gold
Bajo women in Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi, have turned plastic trash from the sea into souvenirs. Their distribution outlet is the island's only art shop.
Akilogram of plastic garbage lay on the porch of Hafsa's house in South Mola village on the island of Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi. The pile smelled of detergent, a sign it had just been washed. Beside the heap were two glass display cases full of plastic wallets, pandan leaves
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